1. Survey: Carefully pre-read the chapter. Look at the title, subtitles, boldface and italics, graphs and diagrams, summary and/or conclusion, and questions at the end of the chapter.
2. Question: Reading is a thinking process; inquiry makes you an active reader. Formulate questions before you read. Convert titles, subtitles, etc. into questions. WRITE THESE DOWN!
3. Read: Thoroughly read the chapter and fill in the answers to your questions as you go along.
Important: Read for meaning, not only the answers! Write down any information you sense is important.
4. Recite: Talk to yourself. Read your questions, answers and notes out loud. Translate key ideas and new terms into your own words. Research any answers or information that don't seem clear enough.
5. Review: Reread your notes as often as possible. Frequent review enables you to better retain the material.
BE FLEXIBLE! At first go through step-by-step, and later alter it to suit your own purposes and style.
Note Taking Skills and Strategies
Tips on taking notes, techniques and strategies that will help you become a good note taker. Whether taking collegelecture notes or class notes these tips will be of great help.
- If the instructor writes something on the chalkboard/overhead or repeats an idea then it is usually a key point and you should write it down.
- Try to sit towards the front and center of the class where you'll be less distracted and can hear the professor the best and have a good angle on any visual aids that may be shown.
- Don't rely on someone Else's notes, you may not understand everything that they write down and you'll learn the best by taking your own notes.
- If your instructor talks fast, it may help to bring an audio recorder and record the lecture while taking notes.
- After the lecture is over you can replay the lecture and fill in any parts that you missed in your notes.
- Do reading assignments or homework questions before class, it is easier to take notes when you know what the instructor is talking about.
- Date your notes; add titles and subtitles when you move onto a new topic for easy referencing.
- Write down any terminology along with the definition that the instructor may present.
- Make sure that you write legibly, if you can't read them later, they'll be useless.
- If you have sloppy handwriting it may be wise to type your notes so that they are easier to read.
- If you missed what the instructor said ask them to repeat it or go to the instructor after class and ask for clarification.
- If you are in a rush, ask the instructor at the beginning of the next class or try to find the answer from a friend or the text.
- Compare notes with a classmate to make sure you didn't miss any important points.
- Everyone is different, different methods work for different people the following are only suggestions on improving upon your current studying techniques.
- It is best to review the material right after class when it's still fresh in your memory.
- Don't try to do all your studying the night before the test, instead space out your studying, review class materials at least several times a week, focusing on one topic at a time.
- Have all of your study material in front of you: lecture notes, course textbooks, study guides and any other relevant material.Find a comfortable and quiet place to study with good lighting and little distractions (try avoiding your own bed; it is very tempting to just lie down and take a nap).
- Start out by studying the most important information. Learn the general concepts first; don't worry about learning the details until you have learned the main ideas.
- Take notes and write down a summary of the important ideas as you read through your study material.
- Take short breaks frequently, you memory retains the information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle.
- Space out your studying, you'll learn more by studying a little every day instead of waiting to cram at the last minute.
- By studying everyday, the material will stay in your long-term memory but if you try to study at the last moment, the material will only reside in your short-term memory that you'll easily forget.
- Make sure that you understand the material well, don't just read through the material and try to memorize everything.
- If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about the test.
- Test yourself or have someone test you on the material to find out what your weak and strong areas are.
- You can use the review questions at the end of each chapter or practice tests the teacher may give out as well as other materials.
- Listening to relaxing music such as classical or jazz on a low volume can relieve some of the boredom of studying. Don't study later than the time you usually go to sleep, you may fall asleep or be tempted to go to sleep, instead try studying in the afternoon or early evening.
- If you are a morning person try studying in the morning.
Creating Good Homework/Study Habits
Good study habits start with a clean and quiet environment. So whenever you start to study or do homework be sure to turn off the television, radio, and i‐pod. If you absolutely have to have background noise try playing soft classical music. Avoiding music with words and recognizable melodies helps limit distractions.
There are many different kinds of routines that can help you succeed in completing your homework. Below is an example of such a routine. I encourage you to try it faithfully for at least a week before switching routines. The more you do something the easier it will become.
1. When you come home get a quick snack and some water (not soda). Also, change yours clothes; it will give you a fresh start. (10‐15min.)
2. Sit down at a clean table with your planner, binder(s) and all your books.
3. Set a timer for 30 min., almost all microwaves or ovens have a kitchen timer setting.
4. Open your planner and get started on the first item listed. Work on that item until it is completed, then put it back your notebook so you will be sure to have it ready to turn in.
5. Once you finish the first item highlight it or put a check next to it in your planner. Then begin the next item.
6. When the timer goes off set it for 5 min. and use that time to take a quick break to use the restroom, get another drink of water or walk around.
7. Once your break time is over set the timer for 30 min. again. Continue working on your list, remembering to check off the assignments once they are completed.
8. Continue this pattern of 30 min. on and 5 min. off until all your work is completed.
9. Once you have done everything you are supposed to do, put all your schoolwork and supplies (books) in your backpack. Then put your backpack by the front door, so you are ready to go in the morning.
10. Now you are done and can enjoy the rest of your evening. Way to go!
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Do you find it difficult to revise for exams when you have so many subjects and things to remember? If the answer is yes, then you're not alone! These tips should help.
- Find out the exact dates of your exams. You will know how much time you have left before each exam. It might help to draw up a table which includes all your subjects and all the weeks you have until the last exam, and then fill in the exam dates.
- Prioritize your subjects. If you think you have most to do in computer graphics or that is your weakest subject then this will be top priority. Put all your subjects in an order from most to least important.
- Decide on a revision plan which will work for you. How many hours do you need to do of a night? Do you have other commitments you can't get out of? Leave some time for breaks, meals and free time but ensure you have a good time slot each night for revision.
- Fill in your revision timetable in with your subjects, and use your priority list to give the most important ones more revision time.
- Stick to this timetable! Speaking from experience, if you decide to focus solely on one or two subjects because you think you know the others, you will get a nasty shock. Don't ignore any of the subjects, but ensure you have a balance where your priority subjects have the lead.
- Begin by revising all the material which you don't know as well. There is no point in beginning to revise the basics of electronics if you are pretty confident in it. You may find that also prioritizing each individual subjects modules or topics helps you. Therefore if you run out of time you will know that you have definitely revised the hardest stuff!
- Actually attempt to remember the material. It sounds stupid but most of the time people are tempted to spend all their revision time just reading or writing and assume that they know it all. Never assume; 'it makes an *** out of U and ME' and its true. If you assume you know it without actually testing yourself on it then you might get a shock in the exam...
- Read the facts a few times so you are familiar with what they mean. If there's anything you don't understand do everything you can to find out. Ask the teacher, research other books and on the Internet. You will be learning as you do it!
- After you are more familiar with them, make your own notes so that it's shorter, but ensure that they make sense so you won't need to refer back to the test book when revising.
- Don't do too much at once. Take a page and test yourself by covering it up and writing down everything you remember. Then, check it and do it again and again until you have everything! This way you are testing and revising as you re-read it over again!
- You may not enjoy revising, but if you try and take interest in what you are learning and get really stuck into it, the more you will remember!
- Never give up - easier said than done right, but giving up only makes you more of a failure when you don't get the % you wanted for your exam. You will always have the guilt of knowing you didn't try your hardest.
- Everyone learns differently; you just have to discover how the best way is for you. But in the end it all comes down to testing yourself, so you can be sure you know it!
- You may not achieve the % you expected. Know in yourself what you are capable of achieving so you don't set your targets too high. Don't settle for lower % than your ability either though, just know your ability and do your best.
- Revision isn't fun - receiving your good % is.
- Never compare yourself to your friends. They are not you. we are all different. Just do your best and be happy with that.
Cramming Techniques for Exams
- Cramming for exams should be avoided at all costs. You should only cram for an exam as a last resort. It's hard to take in and retain a large amount of information in a short period of time. Some of the tips on studying and preparing for a test may over lap with the cramming techniques below.
- Eat some food to give you energy to study, but try to avoid excess sugar which will make you hyper and will make it more difficult to study.
- An apple does a better job at keeping you focused and awake than caffeine.
- Find a well lit place with no distractions around to study but don't get too comfortable or you may fall a sleep. Keep a positive attitude, it is easier to study when you are relaxed than when you are stressed out.
- Since your time is limited you have to choose what you study, don't attempt to learn everything, focus on things that will get you the most points on the exam.
- Focus on the main ideas and learn key formulas, skip the details for now and only come back to them if you see that you have time after you have learned the key points.
- Write down the key ideas/formulas on a sheet of paper and keep on studying from that sheet, repetition is important.
- Highlight the important points in your notes, and text and focus on that.
- Read the chapter summaries (they usually do a good job at summarizing the important points), if there're no chapter summaries then skim through the text and write down key ideas.
- Study from past tests, review questions, home works & review sheets.
- Take at least one five minute break an hour so that you can gather your thoughts and let your brain relax.
- If time permits, try to get at least 3 hours of sleep (one sleep cycle) before the exam so that you don't fall asleep when taking your exam. Don't forget to set your alarm!
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